Projector

ABSTRACT

A projector is provided with a projection unit that projects an image on a projection surface; a detection unit that detects the direction of approach of an indication member or of the shadow of the indication member that has approached a detection region including the projection surface; and a controller that controls display gaps of a plurality of icons which is projected on the projection surface based on the projection direction in which the image is projected by the projection unit and the direction of approach which is detected by the detection unit, wherein the controller makes the display gaps when a plurality of the icons are projected along the projection direction wider than the display gaps when a plurality of the icons are projected along a direction which is different from the projection direction of the projection unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/251,732, filed on Oct. 3, 2011, which claims thebenefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-231075filed on Oct. 14, 2010 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-121266filed on May 31, 2011; the entire contents of all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a projector.

BACKGROUND ART

A known projection device projects operation icons onto a projectionsurface (for example, see Patent Literature 1). This projection devicedecides the projection position or projection direction of the operationicon in accordance with the direction of approach of a finger on theprojected image.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 2009-064109

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, in the above-described projection device, the operation icon issometimes shaded by the hand during operation, which may renderoperation difficult.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a projector in whichthe operation icon is easy to be seen, and which can be favorablyoperated.

Solution to Problem

The projector of the present invention includes: a projection unit thatprojects onto a projection surface a projected image that is based onimage data; a detection unit that detects the direction of approach ofan indication member or of the shadow of the indication member that hasapproached a detection region that includes the projected image; an iconmemory unit that stores the image data of a plurality of icons; adecision unit that decides at least one of the display size of theicons, the display gaps between the icons, and the display positions ofthe icons, on the basis of the projection direction of the projectedimage and the direction of approach detected by the detection unit; anda projection control unit that projects the icons onto the displaypositions decided by the decision unit at the display sizes and displaygaps decided by the decision unit.

The projector of the present invention is also characterized by beingprovided with a projection unit that projects onto a projection surfacea projected image that is based on image data; an icon memory unit thatstores the image data of a plurality of icons; a position memory unitthat stores the display positions of the icons; a decision unit thatdecides at least one of the display size of the icons or the displaygaps between the icons displayed along the projection direction of theprojected image by a distance from the projection unit that is based onthe display positions of the icons; and a projection control unit thatprojects each of the icons at the display sizes and display gaps decidedby the decision unit.

The projector of the present invention is also characterized by beingprovided with a projection unit that projects onto a projection surfacea projected image that is based on image data; a detection unit thatdetects the direction of approach of an indication member and thedirection of approach of the shadow of the indication member that hasapproached a detection region that includes the projected image; an iconmemory unit that stores image data of a plurality of icons; a decisionunit that decides at least one of the display sizes of the icons, thedisplay gaps between the icons, and the display positions of the icons,on the basis of the projection direction of the projected image and thedirection of approach of the indication member and direction of approachof the shadow of the indication member detected by the detection unit;and a projection control unit that projects the icons at the displaypositions decided by the decision unit at the display sizes and displaygaps decided by the decision unit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the projector of the present invention, the operation iconsare easy to be seen and favorable operation is possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a projected state and aphotographed state of a projector according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the configuration of the projectoraccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting a process in the projector according tothe first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front view and a side view depicting the projected state andthe photographed state of the projector according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a direction on a projected image of theprojector according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting operation icons superimposed and projectedon the projected image by the projector according to the firstembodiment, as well as a direction of approach of a hand;

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected on the projected image by the projector according to the firstembodiment, as well as the direction of approach of a hand;

FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected on the projected image by the projector according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected on the projected image by the projector according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected on the projected image by the projector according to the firstembodiment, as well as the position of a fingertip;

FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting a photography region in the projectoraccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram depicting the photography region in the projectoraccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thefirst embodiment, as well as the direction of approach of a hand;

FIG. 14 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view depicting a projected state and aphotographed state of a projector according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram depicting the configuration of the projectoraccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart depicting a process in the projector accordingto the second embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a front view and a side view depicting the projected stateand the photographed state of the projector according to the secondembodiment;

FIG. 22 is a diagram depicting operation icons superimposed andprojected onto a projected image by the projector according to thesecond embodiment, as well as a direction of approach of the shadow of ahand;

FIG. 23 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thesecond embodiment, as well as the direction of approach of the shadow ofa hand;

FIG. 24 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thesecond embodiment, as well as the direction of approach of the shadow ofa hand;

FIG. 25 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thesecond embodiment, as well as the direction of approach of the shadow ofa hand;

FIG. 27 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thesecond embodiment, as well as the direction of approach of the shadow ofa hand;

FIG. 29 is a diagram depicting the operation icons superimposed andprojected onto the projected image by the projector according to thesecond embodiment, as well as the direction of approach of the shadow ofa hand; and

FIG. 30 is a diagram depicting the projected image projected by theprojector according to the second embodiment, as well as the directionof approach of the shadow of a hand.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following is a description of a projector according to a firstembodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a projected state and aphotographed state of a projector 2 according to the first embodiment.The projector 2 is provided with a casing 4 made of metal or plastic,the casing 4 being mounted onto a mounting surface G, which is the topsurface of a desk 6 or the like. The front surface of the casing 4 isalso provided with a projection window 10 that projects a projectedimage 8 and an operation icon 9 onto the mounting surface G, and with aphotography window 14 that photographs an indication member such as ahand 12, which approaches a photography region 11 and indicates theoperation icon 9.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the system configuration of theprojector according to the first embodiment. The projector 2 is providedwith a CPU 20, the CPU 20 being connected to an operation unit 22provided with a power switch and the like (not shown); a camera 24having an imaging sensor constituted of a CCD or the like, thatphotographs a subject; an image memory unit 26 that stores image data ofan image photographed by the camera 24; a program memory unit 30 thathouses a program for setting and controlling photography, projection,and the like; a memory card 32 that stores the image data of an image tobe projected; a projection unit 34 that projects an image that is basedon image data stored in the image memory unit 26 or the memory card 32;a hand recognition unit 36 that determines whether or not a photographedimage contains the shape of a hand 12; and a direction detection unit 38that detects the direction in which the hand 12 approaches a photographyregion 11. Herein, the projection unit 34 is provided with a powercontrol unit 48 that turns an LED light source 46 on and off, and with aprojection control unit 52 that controls the display of an LCOS 50 thatdisplays an image to be projected.

The following is a description of a process in the projector accordingto the first embodiment, with reference to the flowchart depicted inFIG. 3. First, as depicted in FIG. 4(a), the casing 4 is mounted onto amounting surface G, and when the power is switched on, the CPU 20indicates to the projection unit 34 to begin projecting, and reads outimage data from the memory card 32 in order to use the projectioncontrol unit 52 to display on the LCOS 50 an image that is based on theimage data. The power control unit 48 also switches on the LED lightsource 46 by the indication to begin projecting, and, as depicted inFIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), emits projection light in a downward-slopingdirection from the projection window 10 so as to project the projectedimage 8 onto the mounting surface G (step S1).

The CPU 20 also uses the camera 24 to begin photographing a photographyregion 11 that includes the projected image 8 (step S2). Herein, thecamera 24 photographs using video photography or still image photographyat fixed time intervals, and image data of the image photographed by thecamera 24 is stored in the image memory unit 26.

Next, the CPU 20 reads out image data from the image memory unit 26 anduses the hand recognition unit 36 to determine whether or not the imagethat is based on image data contains the shape of the hand 12 (step S3).Note that whether or not the image that is based on the image datacontains the shape of the hand 12 is determined to detect the region ofthe hand 12 and the position of the fingertips from the image that isbased on the image data by using pattern matching or the like.

Herein, FIG. 5 is a diagram overlooking from above onto the projector 2mounted onto the mounting surface G and the photography region 11, whichcontains the projected image 8 projected onto the mounting surface G. Asdepicted in this FIG. 5, the rear is taken to be the side closer to thecasing 4 of the projector 2 on the projected image 8, in the directionalong the projection direction, and the front is taken to be the sidefarther away from the casing 4. Also, the right side is taken to be theright side on the projected image 8 in the direction orthogonal to theprojection direction, and the left side is taken to be the left sidethereof.

When the image that is based on the image data contains the shape of thehand 12 (step S3: Yes), the CPU 20 uses the direction detection unit 38to detect from which of the directions depicted in FIG. 5 the hand 12approaches the photography region 11 (step S4). On the other hand, whenthe image that is based on the image data does not contain the shape ofthe hand 12 (step S3: No), the CPU 20 returns to the process in step S1without detecting the direction in which the hand 12 approaches.

Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the direction of approach of thehand 12 belongs to the front-rear direction or the left-right directiondepicted in FIG. 5, and decides the sizes and display gaps of theoperation icons 9 on the basis of the determined results (step S5). Forexample, when the hand 12 approaches from either the right side or theleft side of the photography region 11, the size of the operation icons9 is decided to be 2 cm×2 cm, and the gap between the operation icons 9is decided to be 2 cm. Also, when the hand 12 approaches from either thefront or the rear of the photography region 11, the size of theoperation icons 9 is decided to be 4 cm×4 cm, and the gap between theoperation icons 9 is decided to be 0.5 cm or the like.

Next, the CPU 20 reads out the image data of the operation icons 9 fromthe program memory unit 30, and indicates to the projection unit 34 toproject the operation icons 9 at the size and display gaps decided instep S5 along the edge part of the side of the projected image 8 inwhich the hand 12 approaches (step S6). For example, as depicted in FIG.6, when the hand 12 approaches the photography region 11 from the rightside, the operation icons 9 are projected along the edge part of theright side of the projected image 8 at the size and display gaps decidedin step S5. Also, as depicted in FIG. 7, when the hand 12 approaches thephotography region 11 from the front, the operation icons 9 areprojected along the edge part of the front of the projected image 8 atthe size and display gaps decided in step S5.

Next, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the distance from theoperation icons 9 to the fingertip is a given distance or less (stepS7). For example, as depicted in FIG. 8(a), the hand 12 approaching thephotography region 11 from the front (see FIG. 5), the fingertip istaken as being located on an operation icon 9 “HOME.” In this case, theCPU 20 measures a distance X of the normal direction from the mountingsurface G to the position of the fingertip, depicted in FIG. 8(b) at theposition of the operation icon 9 “HOME,” on the basis of the image data,and determines whether or not the distance X of the normal direction isa given distance or less. Herein, the operator is able to set the givendistance as desired.

When the distance X of the normal direction is the given distance orless (step S7: Yes), the CPU 20 alters the size of the operation icon 9located directly under the fingertip, for example, “HOME,” to a largersize, and uses the projection unit 34 to project the large-sizedoperation icon “HOME” as depicted in FIG. 8(a) (step S8). On the otherhand, when the distance X of the normal direction is greater than thegiven distance (step S7: No), the CPU 20 returns to the process of stepS1 without altering the size of the operation icon 9.

Herein, because the camera 24 uses video photography or the like tophotograph and because the distance X of the normal direction ismeasured sequentially, when the fingertip is slid onto the operationicon 9 while the distance X of the normal direction is held at the givendistance or less, as depicted in FIG. 9, the size of the operation icon9 is altered along with the position of the fingertip.

Next, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the fingertip has come intocontact with the mounting surface G from the image data (step S9). Forexample, as depicted in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), when a fingertip locatedon an icon 9 “SETTINGS” comes into contact with the mounting surface G(step S9: Yes), the CPU 20 indicates to the projection unit 34 toproject an image “SETTINGS SCREEN” for setting, for example, thebrightness of the projected image 8, corresponding to the content of theoperation icon 9 “SETTINGS” (step S10). On the other hand, when thefingertip does not come into contact with the mounting surface G (stepS9: No), the CPU 20 returns to the process of step S1 without projectingan image corresponding to the content of the operation icon 9.

According to the projector 2 based on this first embodiment, because theicons 9 are projected at different sizes and display gaps in accordancewith the direction of approach of the hand 12, the operation icons 9 areeasy to be seen even in the region shaded by the hand 12, and favorableoperation is possible. For example, when the hand 12 approaches from theright side or the left side (see FIG. 5) of the photography region 11,the operation icons 9 are projected along the edge part of the rightside or the left side of the projected image 8 (see FIG. 6). In thiscase, because the operation icons 9 located farther to the front thanthe operation icon 9 indicated by the fingertip (see FIG. 5) is shadedby the hand 12, small-sized operation icons 9 are projected along theedge part of the right side or the left side of the projected image 8 atwide gaps, so as to have superior ease of being seen. On the other hand,when the hand 12 approaches from the front or the rear of thephotography region 11 (see FIG. 5), the operation icons 9 are projectedalong the edge part of the front or the rear of the projected image 8(see FIG. 7). In such a case, because the operation icons 9 adjacent tothe indicated operation icon 9 are not shaded by the hand 12,large-sized operation icons 9 are projected along the edge part of thefront or the rear of the projected image 8 at narrow gaps, so as to havesuperior operability.

Note that in the first embodiment, the width from the edge part of theprojected image 8 to the edge part of the photography region 11 may bemade to vary depending on the directions of the edge parts. For example,as depicted in FIG. 11, the width of A may be made to be narrower thanthe width of B. Also, as depicted in FIG. 12, the width from the edgepart of the projected image 8 to the edge part of the photography region11 may be made to become narrower as the distance from the casing 4increases. The operation icons 9 being thereby projected prior to whenthe projected image 8 is shaded by the hand 12 when the hand 12approaches from the right, the left, or the rear of the photographyregion 11 (see FIG. 5), the operator can recognize the position of theoperation icons 9 earlier. Also, because the operation icons 9 locatedat the front of the projected image 8, which is less prone to beingshaded by the hand 12 (see FIG. 5), are not projected until immediatelybefore the hand 12 approaches the projected image 8, mistakenoperations, such as when the operation icons 9 are projected when thehand 12 mistakenly comes close to the mounting surface G, can beprevented. Note that when the photography region 11 remains in theoriginal state (see FIG. 10(a) and the like), the region in which thehand recognition unit 36 determines whether or not the image that isbased on the image data contains the shape of the hand 12 may be alteredlike the photography region 11 depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Also, in the first embodiment, when the operation icons 9 are projectedalong the projection direction as depicted in FIG. 6, each of theoperation icons 9 projected onto the projected image 8 has a uniformsize, and the display gaps between the operation icons 9 are equivalent,but the sizes and display gaps of the operation icons 9 may be made tobe different. For example, in step S5, the sizes and display gaps of theoperation icons 9 may be decided on the basis of the distance from theprojection window 10, such that, as depicted in FIG. 13, large-sizedoperation icons 9 are projected onto the front of the projected image 8(see FIG. 5), and small-sized operation icons 9 are projected onto therear, with the display gaps becoming narrower towards the front. Theoperation icons 9 located at the region shaded by the hand 12 asdepicted in FIG. 14 can thereby be made to be further easier to be seen.

Also, in the first embodiment, when the operation icons 9 are projectedalong the projection direction as depicted in FIG. 6, the distance fromthe edge part of the projected image 8 on the side in which the hand 12approaches until the projection position of the operation icons 9 isuniform, but, as depicted in FIG. 15, the operation icons 9 may be madeto be projected at positions increasingly removed from the edge part ofthe projected image 8 on the side in which the hand 12 approaches as thepositions of the operation icons 9 become farther and farther away fromthe projection window 10. The operation icons 9 at the front of theprojected image 8 (see FIG. 5) can thereby be prevented from beingshaded by the hand 12 when an operation icon 9 located at the rear ofthe projected image 8 is indicated by the fingertip. Also, even in thiscase, the display gaps between the operation icons 9 may be made to benarrower towards the front (see FIG. 5).

Also, in the first embodiment, the region of the hand 12 and theposition of the fingertips are detected from the image data such that adetermination is made in the hand recognition unit 36 as to whether ornot the image that is based on the image data contains the shape of thehand 12, but the region of an indication rod or the like and theposition of the tip thereof may be detected so as to determine whetheror not the image that is based on the image data contains the shape ofthe indication rod or the like. The operation icons 9 can be therebyprojected onto the projected image 8 even when an indication memberother than the hand 12 approaches the photography region 11.

Also, when a thin member such as an indication rod or the like is usedto indicate an operation icon 9, the operation icons 9 in the shadow ofthe indication rod or the like will not become difficult to be seen.Therefore, when the image that is based on the image data contains theshape of the indication rod or the like, as depicted in FIG. 16, theoperation icons 9 may be made to be projected around the position of thetip of the indication rod or the like 18, so as to have superioroperability. The size of the operation icons 9 may also be altered to asmaller size and the operation icons 9 may be projected at narrowerdisplay gaps. The operation icons 9 can thereby be indicated withoutmajor movement of the indication rod or the like 18, when the projector2 is operated with an indication rod or the like 18 which is less likelyto shade the projected image 8.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the distance X of the normaldirection (see FIG. 8(b)) is a given distance or less, the operationicon 9 positioned directly under the fingertip is altered to a largersize, but as depicted in FIG. 17, all the operation icons 9 projectedonto the projected image 8 may be altered to a larger size.

Moreover, in the first embodiment, the size and display gaps of theoperation icons 9 are decided in step S5, but only one of either thesize or the display gaps of the operation icons 9 may also be decided.

Further, the first embodiment has been described taking the example of acase in which the operation icons 9 are superimposed and projected ontothe projected image 8, but the projector 2 may be provided with anauxiliary projection unit that projects the operation icons 9, inaddition to the projection unit 34, such that the auxiliary projectionunit projects the operation icons 9 onto a region different from theprojected image 8—for example, an adjacent region. In this case, becausethe operation icons 9 will not be shaded by the hand 12, the operationicons 9 are further easier to be seen, and further favorable operationis possible.

Moreover, in this case, the icons 9 may be projected onto the regionadjacent to the projected image 8 at sizes and display gaps that vary inaccordance with the direction in which the hand 12 approaches thephotography region 11 (see FIG. 5). Also, when the operation icons 9 areprojected along the projection direction (see FIG. 6), large-sizedoperation icons 9 may be projected at narrow gaps at the front or therear of the region adjacent to the projected image 8 (see FIG. 5), andsmall-sized operation icons 9 may be projected at wide gaps on the leftor the right side. Further, when the operation icons 9 are projectedalong the projection direction (see FIG. 6), the operation icons 9 maybe projected at positions increasingly away from the edge part of theregion adjacent to the projected image 8 as the position of theoperation icons 9 is farther and farther away from the projection window10.

Also, when the image data contains the shape of the indication rod orthe like, small-sized operation icons 9 may be projected at narrow gapsaround the position corresponding to the tip of the indication rod orthe like 18 in the region adjacent to the projected image 8. The sizesof the operation icons 9 may also be altered to be a larger size whenthe fingertip comes close to the mounting surface G.

The projected image 8 and operation icons 9 may also be projected sideby side in a single region. For example, a single region may bepartitioned into two in order to project the projected image 8 on oneside and project the operation icons 9 on another side.

Further, in the first embodiment, the projected image is projected ontothe mounting surface G of the desk 6, but the projected image may alsobe projected onto another level surface such as a wall or floor.Projection may also be done onto a curved surface body such as a ball,or onto a moving object or the like.

The following is a description of a projector according to a secondembodiment. Note that under the projection window 10 on the frontsurface of the casing 4 of the projector 200, the projector according tothe second embodiment is provided with a photography window 14 thatphotographs the shadow 62 of the hand, as depicted in FIG. 18. Further,as depicted in the block diagram of FIG. 19, the projector 2 accordingto the first embodiment is additionally provided with a hand shadowrecognition unit 60 that determines whether or not a photographed imagecontains the shape of the shadow 62 of a hand, and furthermore thedirection detection unit 38 is additionally provided with a function ofdetecting the direction in which the shadow 62 of the hand approachesthe photography region 11. Accordingly, a more detailed description ofthose parts of the configuration that are identical to the firstembodiment having been omitted, a description is provided only for thepoints of different. Further, the same reference numerals are applied todescribe the parts of the configuration that are the same as the firstembodiment.

The following is a description of the process in a projector 200according to the second embodiment, with reference to the flow chartillustrated in FIG. 20. First, as depicted in FIG. 21(a), the casing 4is mounted onto a mounting surface G, and when the power is switched on,the CPU 20 emits projection light in a downward-sloping direction fromthe projection window 10 to project the projected image 8 onto themounting surface G, as depicted in FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b) (step S11).

Next, the CPU 20 uses the camera 24 to begin photographing thephotography region 11, which contains the projected image 8 (step S12).Herein, the camera 24 photographs using video photography or still imagephotography at fixed time intervals, and image data of the imagephotographed by the camera 24 is stored in the image memory unit 26.

Next, the CPU 20 reads out the image data from the image memory unit 26and uses the hand shadow recognition unit 60 to determine whether or notthe image that is based on the image data contains the shape of theshadow 62 of the hand (step S13). Herein, whether or not the image thatis based on the image data contains the shape of the shadow 62 of thehand is determined to detect the region in the shadow 62 of the hand andthe position corresponding to the fingertip in the region in the shadow62 of the hand, from the image that is based on the image data by usingpattern matching or the like.

When the image that is based on the image data contains the shape of theshadow 62 of the hand (step S13: Yes), the CPU 20 uses the directiondetection unit 38 to detect from which direction, depicted in FIG. 5,the shadow 62 of the hand approached the photography region 11 (stepS14). On the other hand, when the image that is based on the image datadoes not contain the shape of the shadow 62 of the hand (step S13: No),the CPU 20 returns to the process of step S11 without detecting thedirection in which the shadow 62 of the hand approached.

Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the direction of approach of theshadow 62 of the hand belongs to the front-rear direction or theleft-right direction depicted in FIG. 5, and then decides the size anddisplay gaps of the operation icons 9 on the basis of the determinedresults (step S15).

Next, the CPU 20 reads out the image data of the operation icons 9 fromthe program memory unit 30, and indicates to the projection unit 34 toproject the operation icons 9 at the sizes and display gaps decided instep S15, along the edge part of the side of the projected image 8 inwhich the shadow 62 of the hand approached (step S16). For example, asdepicted in FIG. 22, when the shadow 62 of the hand approaches thephotography region 11 from the right side, the operation icons 9 areprojected along the edge part of the right side of the projected image 8at the sizes and display gaps decided in step S15. Further, as depictedin FIG. 23, when the shadow 62 of the hand approaches the photographyregion 11 from the front, the operation icons 9 are projected along theedge part of the front of the projected image 8 at the sizes and displaygaps decided in step S15.

Next, the CPU 20 uses the hand recognition unit 36 to determine whetheror not the image that is based on the image data contains the shape ofthe hand 12 (step S17). When the image that is based on the image datadoes not contain the shape of the hand 12 (step S17: No), processreturns to that of step S11. On the other hand, when the image that isbased on the image data does contain the shape of the hand 12 (step S17:Yes), the CPU 20 determines whether or not the distance from theoperation icons 9 to the fingertip is a given distance or less (stepS18).

When the distance from the operation icons 9 to the fingertip is thegiven distance or less (step S18: Yes), the CPU 20 alters the size ofthe operation icon 9 located directly under the fingertip to a largersize, and uses the projection unit 34 to project the large-sizedoperation icon 9 (step S19). On the other hand, when the distance fromthe operation icons 9 to the fingertip is greater than the givendistance (step S18: No), the CPU 20 returns to the process of step S11without altering the size of the operation icons 9.

Next, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the fingertip has come intocontact with the mounting surface G from the image data (step S20). Forexample, when the fingertip located above the icon 9 “SETTINGS” comesinto contact with the mounting surface G (see FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b);step S20: Yes), the CPU 20 indicates to the projection unit 34 toproject an image “SETTINGS SCREEN” for setting, for example, thebrightness of the projected image 8, corresponding to the content of theoperation icon 9 “SETTINGS” (step S21). On the other hand, when thefingertip does not come into contact with the mounting surface G (stepS20: No), the CPU 20 returns to the process of step S11 withoutprojecting an image corresponding to the content of the operation icon9.

According to the projector 200 based on this second embodiment, becausethe direction detection unit 38 detects the direction in which theshadow 62 of the hand approaches the photography region 11, the icons 9can therefore be projected on the basis of the direction of approach ofthe shadow 62 of the hand, even when, for example, the position (height)of the hand 12 is separated from the mounting surface G and the hand 12does not approach the photography region 11. Since the icons 9 aretherefore projected earlier, the operator can select the operation icon9 well in advance. Further, because the icons 9 are projected atdifferent sizes and display gaps in accordance with the direction ofapproach of the shadow 62 of the hand, the operation icons 9 are easy tobe seen and favorable operation is possible, similar to the firstembodiment, even in the region shaded by the hand 12.

Note that in the second embodiment, the width from the edge part of theprojected image 8 to the edge part of the photography region 11 may bemade to vary depending on the directions of the edge parts. For example,as depicted in FIG. 11, the width of A may be made to be narrower thanthe width of B. Also, as depicted in FIG. 12, the width from the edgepart of the projected image 8 to the edge part of the photography region11 may be made to become narrower as the distance from the casing 4increases. The operation icons 9 being thereby projected prior to whenthe projected image 8 is shaded by the hand 12 when the shadow 62 of thehand approaches from the right, the left, or the rear of the photographyregion 11 (see FIG. 5), the operator can recognize the position of theoperation icons 9 earlier. Also, because the operation icons 9 locatedat the front of the projected image 8, which is less prone to beingshaded by the hand 12 (see FIG. 5), are not projected until immediatelybefore the shadow 62 of the hand approaches the projected image 8,mistaken operations, such as when the operation icons 9 are projectedwhen the hand 12 mistakenly comes close to the mounting surface G, canbe prevented. Note that when the photography region 11 remains in theoriginal state (see FIG. 10(a) and the like), the region in which thehand shadow recognition unit 60 determines whether or not the image thatis based on the image data contains the shape of the shadow 62 of thehand may be altered like the photography region 11 depicted in FIGS. 11and 12.

Also, in the second embodiment, when the operation icons 9 are projectedalong the projection direction as depicted in FIG. 22, each of theoperation icons 9 projected onto the projected image 8 has a uniformsize, and the display gaps between the operation icons 9 are equivalent,but the sizes and display gaps of the operation icons 9 may be made tobe different. For example, in step S15, the sizes and display gaps ofthe operation icons 9 may be decided on the basis of the distance fromthe projection window 10, such that, as depicted in FIG. 24, large-sizedoperation icons 9 are projected onto the front of the projected image 8(see FIG. 5), and small-sized operation icons 9 are projected onto therear thereof, with the display gaps becoming narrower towards the front.The operation icons 9 located at the region shaded by the hand 12 asdepicted in FIG. 25 can thereby be made to be further easier to be seen.

Also, in the second embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 26, the operationicons 9 may be made to be projected at positions increasingly away fromthe edge part of the projected image 8 on the side in which the shadow62 of the hand approaches as the positions of the operation icons 9become farther and farther away from the projection window 10. Theoperation icons 9 at the front of the projected image 8 (see FIG. 5) canthereby be prevented from being shaded by the hand 12 when an operationicon 9 located at the rear of the projected image 8 is indicated by thefingertip. Also, even in this case, the display gaps between theoperation icons 9 may be made to be narrower towards the front (see FIG.5).

Also, in the second embodiment, the hand shadow recognition unit 60 maydetermine whether or not the image that is based on the image datacontains the shadow of the indication rod or the like. The operationicons 9 can thereby be projected onto the projected image 8 even whenthe shadow of an indication member other than the hand 12 approaches thephotography region 11.

Also, when a thin member such as an indication rod or the like is usedto indicate an operation icon 9, the operation icons 9 in the shadow ofthe indication rod or the like will not become difficult to be seen.Therefore, when the image that is based on the image data contains theshadow of the indication rod or the like, as depicted in FIG. 27, theoperation icons 9 may be made to be projected around the position of thetip of the shadow 19 of the indication rod or the like, so as to havesuperior operability. The size of the operation icons 9 may also bealtered to a smaller size and the operation icons 9 may be projected atnarrower display gaps. The operation icons 9 can thereby be indicatedwithout major movement of the indication rod or the like 18, when theprojector 200 is operated with an indication rod or the like 18 which isless likely to shade the projected image 8.

Further, the second embodiment has been described taking the example ofa case in which the operation icons 9 are superimposed and projectedonto the projected image 8, but the projector 200 may be provided withan auxiliary projection unit that projects the operation icons 9, inaddition to the projection unit 34, such that the auxiliary projectionunit projects the operation icons 9 onto a region different from theprojected image 8—for example, an adjacent region. In this case, becausethe operation icons 9 will not be shaded by the hand 12, the operationicons 9 are further easier to be seen, and further favorable operationis possible.

The projected image 8 and operation icons 9 may also be projected sideby side in a single region. For example, a single region may bepartitioned into two in order to project the projected image 8 on oneside and project the operation icons 9 on another side.

Further, in the second embodiment, after the photography of thephotography region 11 has begun (step S12), the hand recognition unit 36may be made to determine whether or not the image data contains imagedata corresponding to the shape of the hand 12. Herein, when the imagedata does contain image data corresponding to the shape of the hand 12,the CPU 20 uses the direction detection unit 38 to detect from which ofthe directions depicted in FIG. 5 the hand 12 has approached thephotography region 11, and then determines whether the direction ofapproach belongs to the front-rear direction or the left-right directionillustrated in FIG. 5. Then, after the direction of approach of the hand12 has been determined, the hand shadow recognition unit 60 may be usedto determine whether or not the image data contains image datacorresponding to the shape of the shadow 62 of the hand (step S13). TheCPU 20 is thereby able to project operation icons 9 when, as depicted inFIG. 25, the hand 12 approaches the photography region 11 and also theshadow 62 of the hand approaches the photography region 11. Note that inthis case, as depicted in FIG. 28, the operation icons 9 are notprojected when the hand 12 does not approach the photography region 11,even though the shadow 62 of the hand may have approached it, andtherefore, for example, it is possible to prevent mistaken operations,such as the projection of the operation icons 9 when the operator hasmistakenly brought the hand 12 close to the projector 200.

In this case, the operation icons 9 may be made to be projected onlywhen the position of the shadow 62 of the hand, having approached thephotography region 11, is located on an extension of the position of thehand 12 in the projection direction. For example, as depicted in FIG.29(a), the hand 12 and the shadow 12 of the hand have approached thephotography region 11. In this case, as depicted in FIG. 29(b)B, theicons 9 are projected when the position of the shadow 12 of the hand islocated on an extension of the position of the hand 12 in the projectiondirection. On the other hand, as depicted in FIG. 30, in a case such aswhen the hand 12 and the shadow 62 of the hand approach the photographyregion 11 from different directions, the position of the shadow 62 ofthe hand is not located on an extension of the position of the hand 12in the projection direction, and therefore the operation icons 9 are notprojected. It is thereby possible to prevent mistaken operations, suchas the projection of the operation icons 9 in a case in which someoneother than the operator has mistakenly brought a hand 12 close to theprojector 200 and the shadow 62 of the hand based on illumination lightother than the projection light approaches the photography region 11(see FIG. 30), or the like, thus allowing the projector 200 to haveenhanced operability.

The above-described embodiments have been recited in order to facilitateunderstanding of the present invention, and are not recited in order tolimit the present invention. Accordingly, in effect, each elementdisclosed in the above-described embodiments also includes all designchanges and equivalents falling within the technical scope of thepresent invention.

1. A projector, comprising: a projection unit that projects an image on a projection surface; a detection unit that detects the direction of approach of an indication member or of the shadow of the indication member that has approached a detection region including the projection surface; and a controller that controls display gaps of a plurality of icons which is projected on the projection surface based on the projection direction in which the image is projected by the projection unit and the direction of approach which is detected by the detection unit, wherein the controller makes the display gaps when a plurality of the icons are projected along the projection direction wider than the display gaps when a plurality of the icons are projected along a direction which is different from the projection direction of the projection unit.
 2. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit have an imaging sensor which photographs the projection surface.
 3. The projector according to claim 1, comprising an icon memory unit that stores image data of a plurality of the icons.
 4. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit projects a plurality of the icons in a different region from a region in which the image is projected on the projection surface.
 5. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls display sizes of a plurality of the icons based on the projection direction in which the image is projected by the projection unit and the direction of approach which is detected by the detection unit. 